The Complete Guide
The balcony solar
DIY guidebook.
From “will this even work for my space” to a working panel, in one guide. No sales pitch, just the actual process.
1-2 hrsTypical install time
No electricianFor 395W systems in most states
8 chaptersEverything you need
01
Chapter one
Is balcony solar
right for your space?
Before you spend money on a kit, answer these honestly. Balcony solar works great in the right conditions and barely produces anything in the wrong ones - better to know now.
01Which direction does your balcony/patio face?
02How many hours of direct sun on a clear day?
03Any obstructions (trees, buildings, overhangs)?
02
Chapter two
Which size kit
do you need?
Most states cap the no-approval tier at 395-400W. Some states allow larger systems with a licensed electrician. Check your state's specific limit before buying.
395W tier
No approval needed
The default 'plug-and-play' tier in most states. No utility approval, no licensed electrician, no permits. Most starter kits land here.
800W tier
Check your state
Some states (Maryland, Maine, Virginia, Utah) allow up to 1,200W. Others cap at 395-400W. Always check your state's limit before buying.
1,200-1,920W tier
Licensed electrician
Colorado allows up to 1,920W with a licensed electrician and a dedicated circuit. Not a DIY install at this size, and a permit is usually required.
03
Chapter three
What's in the box,
and what you'll need.
Most 395W plug-in solar kits include everything except basic hand tools.
Included in most kits
Solar panel
Microinverter
Mounting brackets
Outlet plug cable (10-25ft)
Mounting hardware (screws, clamps)
You'll also need
Phillips/flathead screwdriver
Adjustable wrench
Tape measure
A drill (for some mounting types)
A second person (recommended for panels over 30 lbs)
04
Chapter four
Seven steps, start
to finish.
01
~10 min
Choose your spot
South-facing gets the most sun, but southeast/southwest work well too. Avoid spots shaded by overhangs, trees, or neighboring buildings for more than 2-3 hours a day.
02
~5 min
Check your outlet
You need a standard 120V outlet within reach of the included cable (usually 10-25ft). A GFCI outlet (the kind with a reset button, common on balconies) is ideal and often required.
03
~20 min
Attach the mounting brackets
Most kits include brackets for railing mounts, wall mounts, or ground/rack mounts. Follow the kit's specific bracket instructions - this varies most by manufacturer.
04
~20 min
Secure the panel
Attach the panel to the brackets. For railing mounts, this usually means tightening clamps around the railing. For wall mounts, you'll need to drill anchor points (check with your landlord first).
05
~10 min
Connect the microinverter
The microinverter usually attaches directly to the back of the panel or nearby. Connect the panel's output cables to the microinverter input - most kits use weatherproof, tool-less connectors.
06
~2 min
Plug into your outlet
Connect the microinverter's output cable to your outlet. This is the only electrical connection you'll make - there's no wiring into your home's electrical panel for the no-approval tier.
07
~5 min
Confirm it's working
Most kits include an app or simple LED indicator showing power generation. Check it during daylight hours - you should see generation within minutes of connecting.
05
Chapter five
Three ways to mount
your panel.
RAILING MOUNT
Most common for apartment balconies. Clamps directly onto a standard railing, no drilling required. Best for: most renters.
WALL MOUNT
For patios or exterior walls without a railing. Usually requires drilling anchor points - check with your landlord first even in states with solar rights laws, since drilling falls under 'reasonable placement guidelines.'
GROUND / RACK MOUNT
For ground-floor patios or yards. Uses a freestanding frame, no attachment to the building at all - the easiest to get landlord approval for since nothing touches the structure.
06
Chapter six
Above the no-approval
limit? Here's what changes.
States like Colorado allow systems up to 1,920W - but anything above the base no-approval tier (typically 395-400W) requires a licensed electrician and a dedicated circuit. This isn't a DIY project at that size.
A licensed electrician installs a dedicated circuit
Requires an electrical permit in most jurisdictions
Installation typically takes half a day to a full day
Cost increases significantly - budget for electrician labor on top of the kit price
07
Chapter seven
Moving out? Here's how
to take it with you.
One of balcony solar's biggest advantages over rooftop solar: it's yours. Here's how to remove it cleanly and set it back up at your next place.
01
Disconnect safely
Unplug the microinverter from the outlet first, then disconnect the panel-to-microinverter cable. No special procedure needed - it's designed to be unplugged like any other appliance.
02
Remove the mounting hardware
For railing mounts, loosen and remove the clamps. For wall mounts, remove screws and consider whether to patch the holes (check your lease's move-out terms on this - it's the same as any other wall anchor you've installed).
03
Pack it carefully
Most panels are somewhat fragile to flex/impact. Wrap in a moving blanket or the original packaging if you kept it, and transport flat rather than leaning at an angle if possible.
04
Re-install at your new place
Start back at Chapter 1 - re-check suitability at your new spot, since orientation and sun exposure will likely be different.
If your new state has a different wattage limit than your previous one, check /tracker before reinstalling above the no-approval threshold.
08
Chapter eight
If something's not
working.
No power showing on the app/LED+
Check the outlet is live (test with another device), confirm all cable connections are fully seated, and confirm you're testing during daylight hours.
Panel producing less than expected+
GFCI outlet keeps tripping+
Not sure if my installation is compliant+
Take this guide with you.
Download the full guidebook as a PDF - useful for reference while you're actually installing, no signal needed. Or grab the printable checklist and tick off each step as you go.
Free. No email required.
Full checklist is 9 pages (one per chapter). One-page summary fits all 8 chapters on a single sheet.
Full checklist is 9 pages (one per chapter). One-page summary fits all 8 chapters on a single sheet.
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